ESPN listed the top 20 freshmen players (Collin Simmons #6). 4 RBs made the list. Texas might benefit from a young power back with production. Fluff Bothwell is interesting at 5'10 219. Wonder if he can pass block.
Previous ranking: 15
The former four-star recruit continues to outperform players ranked ahead of him entering the season. The 5-foot-9, 190-pound back is second among all freshmen in rushing yards (803) trailing only Ahmad Hardy. Brown is averaging 7.4 yards per carry to go along with seven touchdowns this season and 26 catches out of the backfield. Originally considered more of a change-of-pace option, Brown shouldered the load and performed well against Louisville's top competition, including a 151-yard showing against No. 11 Clemson early in November. A shoulder injury knocked him out of the Cardinals' 38-35 loss to Stanford on Saturday.
Previous ranking: 7
The four-star running back ranked No. 13 in the ESPN 300 entering the season and emerged as an unlikely early big-play threat for LSU, seizing the lead role in the Tigers' rushing attack. LSU's season has cratered amid a three-game losing streak and Durham's usage and production have been more inconsistent during that stretch. Though he's coming off a 91-yard outing against Florida, the dip in performance led to a nine-spot drop in the rankings.
Previous ranking: Unranked
College football annually offers reminders that recruiting is an inexact science. Hardy is one of this season's brightest examples. The Mississippi native was unranked when he arrived at ULM, yet leads all freshmen rushers with 975 yards this season. The 5-foot-10, 205-pounder is a decisive runner averaging a healthy 5.4 yards per carry to go along with 10 touchdowns. That includes a monster 206-yard showing against Marshall in early November when he ripped off an 80-yard score. Hardy leads all rushers in the Sun Belt by nearly 200 yards.
Previous ranking: Unranked
Bothwell is another Sun Belt standout who fits a similar profile to Hardy. The 5-foot-10, 219-pound back is a bit more powerfully built but was also unranked out of high school. Bothwell doesn't quite have the gaudy totals of Hardy because he splits carries with Ole Miss transfer Kentrel Bullock. Still, Bothwell has 647 yards on 99 carries (6.5 yards per rush) and is tied with Hardy in touchdowns (10).
14. Isaac Brown, RB, Louisville Cardinals
Previous ranking: 15
The former four-star recruit continues to outperform players ranked ahead of him entering the season. The 5-foot-9, 190-pound back is second among all freshmen in rushing yards (803) trailing only Ahmad Hardy. Brown is averaging 7.4 yards per carry to go along with seven touchdowns this season and 26 catches out of the backfield. Originally considered more of a change-of-pace option, Brown shouldered the load and performed well against Louisville's top competition, including a 151-yard showing against No. 11 Clemson early in November. A shoulder injury knocked him out of the Cardinals' 38-35 loss to Stanford on Saturday.
16. Caden Durham, RB, LSU Tigers
Previous ranking: 7
The four-star running back ranked No. 13 in the ESPN 300 entering the season and emerged as an unlikely early big-play threat for LSU, seizing the lead role in the Tigers' rushing attack. LSU's season has cratered amid a three-game losing streak and Durham's usage and production have been more inconsistent during that stretch. Though he's coming off a 91-yard outing against Florida, the dip in performance led to a nine-spot drop in the rankings.
18. Ahmad Hardy, RB, UL Monroe Warhawks
Previous ranking: Unranked
College football annually offers reminders that recruiting is an inexact science. Hardy is one of this season's brightest examples. The Mississippi native was unranked when he arrived at ULM, yet leads all freshmen rushers with 975 yards this season. The 5-foot-10, 205-pounder is a decisive runner averaging a healthy 5.4 yards per carry to go along with 10 touchdowns. That includes a monster 206-yard showing against Marshall in early November when he ripped off an 80-yard score. Hardy leads all rushers in the Sun Belt by nearly 200 yards.
19. Fluff Bothwell, RB, South Alabama Jaguars
Previous ranking: Unranked
Bothwell is another Sun Belt standout who fits a similar profile to Hardy. The 5-foot-10, 219-pound back is a bit more powerfully built but was also unranked out of high school. Bothwell doesn't quite have the gaudy totals of Hardy because he splits carries with Ole Miss transfer Kentrel Bullock. Still, Bothwell has 647 yards on 99 carries (6.5 yards per rush) and is tied with Hardy in touchdowns (10).
